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- Title
Stepparents' Affinity-Seeking and Affinity-Maintaining Strategies With Stepchildren.
- Authors
Ganong, Lawrence; Coleman, Marilyn; Fine, Mark; Martin, Patricia
- Abstract
The purposes of this study were to examine the strategies that stepparents use to develop and maintain affinity with stepchildren and the effects that these strategies have on the development of stepparent-stepchild relationships. Data were collated via interviews with member of 17 stepfamilies in which there was at least one stepchild between the ages of 10 and 19 living in the household. Stepparent-stepchild relationships are characterized by liking and affection when stepparents focus on developing friendships with stepchildren and when they continue those efforts after they begin sharing a residence together We identified 31 affinity-seeking strategies. Dyadic activities worked best, but it is important that stepchildren recognize affinity-seeking attempts The success of affinity-seeking and affinity maintaining strategies are contingent on the interpersonal and intrapersonal contexts is within which they occur In the stop families in which step-relationships were poor, there was competition from the nonresidential parent, the stepparents had take-charge personalities, and the stepchildren did not recognize the stepparent's affinity seeking efforts.
- Subjects
STEPPARENTS; STEPCHILDREN; AFFINITY (Kinship); PARENT-child relationships; FAMILY relations; FAMILIES
- Publication
Journal of Family Issues, 1999, Vol 20, Issue 3, p299
- ISSN
0192-513X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/019251399020003001